What Should I Do If My Newborn Baby Vomits Milk After Feeding?

Family Medicine, University of California San Diego Health System

Supervised by Garrett Kneese, MD, MPH

It is common for newborns to spit up a little milk, but watch your baby closely. If you notice forceful or bloody vomiting, swelling of the abdomen, poor weight gain, or signs of infection such as fever or persistent inconsolability, call your pediatrician.

Explanation

Many newborns often spit up or vomit a small amount of milk after feeding, and this can be normal due to their immature digestive systems. Here are some steps you can take:

Keep Your Baby Upright: After feeding, try holding your baby upright for about 20-30 minutes. This may help prevent milk from coming back up.
Burp Often: Gently burp your baby during and after feeding. This can release extra air and may reduce the chance of vomiting.
Feed Smaller Amounts: Offering smaller, more frequent feeds can help ease digestion and reduce the likelihood of vomiting.
Monitor for Worrying Signs: If your baby vomits forcefully, appears very upset, does not seem to be gaining weight well, or shows signs of dehydration (like fewer wet diapers), it is important to get in touch with your doctor.

Remember, while mild spit-up is common and usually harmless, any concerning changes in your baby’s behavior or feeding should be discussed with your pediatrician.

(References)

Updated 2018 Mar 22]. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK343315/
Indrio F, Riezzo G, Raimondi F, Cavallo L, Francavilla R. Regurgitation in healthy and non healthy infants. Ital J Pediatr. 2009 Dec 9;35(1):39. doi: 10.1186/1824-7288-35-39. PMID: 20003194; PMCID: PMC2796655.
Czinn SJ, Blanchard S. Gastroesophageal reflux disease in neonates and infants : when and how to treat. Paediatr Drugs. 2013 Feb;15(1):19-27. doi: 10.1007/s40272-012-0004-2. PMID: 23322552.

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